TEL AVIV (Realist English). Former US secretary of state and ex-CIA director Mike Pompeo has made a rare public statement suggesting Washington’s involvement in recent mass unrest and terrorist attacks in Iran, describing the events as the result of “foreign interference” aimed at regime change.
Speaking in an interview with Israel’s Channel 13, Pompeo rejected claims that the West had failed to capitalise on the turmoil, arguing instead that there had been substantial covert involvement. “Assistance was provided — and in large volumes. Perhaps not everything was visible from the outside, and even we may not have known everything, but I am confident the United States is actively doing everything it can to support the Iranian people,” he said, using deliberately ambiguous language.
Earlier this month, Pompeo published a provocative post on X in which he referred to “Mossad agents on the streets” of Iran, naming Mashhad, Tehran and Zahedan as key points of destabilisation. The claims were not backed by evidence and were interpreted in Tehran as confirmation of foreign interference in domestic affairs.
Pompeo is widely regarded as one of the main architects of the “maximum pressure” policy pursued during the first administration of US President Donald Trump. He has consistently advocated regime change in Iran and has maintained close ties with the opposition group Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK/MKO), repeatedly attending its events and publicly endorsing its activities.
His latest remarks are likely to intensify diplomatic tensions surrounding Iran at a time of ongoing debate over sanctions, regional security and the prospects for renewed negotiations. Even an implicit acknowledgment of “covert support” risks further escalation and provides Tehran with additional grounds to accuse Washington and its allies of direct involvement in destabilising the country.